MARTYROLOGY-APRIL 21

Martyrology-April 21st
Roman Martyrology-April 21st-on this date in various years-

At Canterbury, England, St. Anselm, bishop, confessor, and doctor of the Church, renowned for sanctity and learning.

In Persia, the birthday of St. Simeon, bishop of Seleucia and Ctesiphon. He was arrested by order of Sapor, king of Persia, loaded with irons, and presented to the iniquitous tribunals. As he refused to adore the sun, and openly and constantly bore testimony to Jesus Christ, he was confined for a long time in a dungeon with one hundred other confessors, some of whom were bishops. others priests, others clerics of various ranks. Afterwards, Usthazanes, the king’s foster-father, who had been converted from apostasy by Simeon, endured martyrdom with great constancy. The day after, which was the anniversary of our Lord’s Passion, the companions of Simeon whom he had feelingly exhorted, were beheaded before his eyes, after which he met the same fate. With him suffered also several distinguished men: Abdechalas and Ananias, his priests, with Pusicius, the head of the royal workmen. This last having encouraged Ananias, who seemed to falter, died a cruel death, having his tongue drawn out through a perforation made in his neck. After him, his daughter, who was a consecrated virgin, was put to death.

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Arator, a priest, Fortunatus, Felix, Silvius, and Vitalis, who all died in prison.

At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Apollo, Isacius, and Codratus, who suffered under the Emperor Diocletian. The last of these was slain by the sword, and a few days later the other two died from starvation in prison, meriting also the crown of martyrdom.

At Antioch, St. Anastasius the Sinaite, bishop.

At Wertingen in Bavaria, St. Conrad of Parzham, confessor, of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, outstanding both for prayer and for love of neighbour. Being renowned for miracles, Pope Pius XI enrolled him among the number of the saints.

And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.